TULSA, Okla. (February 12, 2016) Just under a month for the 2016 season opener for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network at the Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Johnny Herrera is putting the final touches on his 2016 National Tour setup.
“The goal this year is the same as every starting out. We aim for the Championship,” commented Herrera of the coming season. “That was our first year in the family owned No. 45x on this tour and we almost got that done. It was a year that we didn’t expect it to happen, but it did and we’ve been consistently in the top five ever since.”
Taking over the reins of ownership on the No. 45x in 2015, Johnny hasn’t been effected much by the change, “I’ve been in the sport long enough that it wasn’t really much of a change. Now it’s just knowing that at the end of the day, I have to make this thing pay for itself but really the only thing we run into is not having someone to help on the car day in, and day out and that’s something I need to fix this year. We have a lot of good guys running with us and they gel very well together, so it’s going to be tough coming off the success those teams had last year.”
Surveying the season’s lineup of drivers, the 31 year veteran of the sport knows that the competition isn’t getting any easier, “It’s going to be tough. At the end, there’s going to be three or four guys that are going to be really tough no matter what, and you have these younger teams that are getting their equipment better, and working harder at it, so it’s not getting any easier for this old guy, I can tell you that,” chuckled Herrera who continued, “that just means I’ve got to keep working hard.”
On the subject of what keeps Johnny coming back, Herrera responded, “It’s a great series. I can’t think of another one as far as tow money and what you’re racing for, outside the World of Outlaws that offers what ASCS does. You can go run Knoxville if you want weekly racing, and they have a great payout if you’re 410cid racing, but as far as any National Tour, this is the best next to the Outlaws.”
While equipment change will be slight going into the 2016 season, Johnny will again utilize Maxim Chassis with all cars going back to the “Big Max” design. Herrera’s main engine supplier in 2016 will be Ostrich Racing Engines. On the part of team members, the JHR team is pleased to announce Chris Stivers, who was a long time crew member for Gary Wright, will join Herrera full-time on the road. Stivers crewed part time for Johnny in 2015 during the series Northwest swing.
Special thanks goes to Johnny’s wife, Ann as well as long time sponsor, Royal Jones, who operates Mesilla Valley Transportation in Las Cruces, N.M. Johnny would also like to think Semi-Crazy Truck Wash, Champion Brands, Smiley’s Racing Products, Competition Suspension, CSR Garage, KW Motorsports, and Ortega Appliance Repair.
Johnny would also like to welcome Morton Excavating in Coweta, Okla. and Heidbreder Foundation Service, LLC in Jefferson City, Mo. to the list of sponsors for the 2016 season.
Fans of Johnny Herrera can keep up-to-date with “Hollywood” online at http://www.johnnyherreraracing.com as well as Twitter (@JohnnyHerrera2). For news direct to your email on Johnny Herrera, email Shawn Miller with Inside Line Promotions at insidelinepromotions@gmail.com.
The 2016 season is the 25th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing across the United States for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network. The 2016 season begins at the Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Okla. on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 with the Sooner State Showdown.
For continued updates, and to see the full lineup of events for American Sprint Car Series, from the National Tour to the Regional Tours, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.
- Bryan Hulbert on Feb 12, 2016
- Article Date: 2/12/2016